The Malaysian leader’s apparent embrace of Russia reflects a growing cynicism about the current U.S.-backed global order. Anwar Ibrahim can’t seem to stay away from Russia. The Malaysian prime minister, once the darling of Western claqueurs, visited Vladivostok last month for the Eastern Economic Forum, where he praised Vladimir Putin for his “vision and leadership”… Continue reading Anwar Ibrahim in Russia: opportunism or hatred of the West?
Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense chief and critic of the late Shinzo Abe, is expected to shift Japan’s domestic and international policies towards a more moderate and diplomatic approach, particularly with China, while balancing regional security and strengthening ties with key partners like the US. Key takeaways Shigeru Ishiba’s election as… Continue reading Ishiba’s Japan: Navigating diplomacy and security in the post-Abe era
Several cases are frequently cited when discussing China’s so-called debt trap diplomacy: Sri Lanka, Laos, and Malaysia. These examples shed light on how China’s strategy plays out in practice. In recent years, much of the discussion around China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” has come from U.S. media and political hawks. In May 2019, then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike… Continue reading Debt or Diplomacy? Inside China’s Controversial Loans to Sri Lanka, Laos, and Malaysia
To restore the potential of green diplomacy, the EU’s Green Deal should be “internationalist in its ultimate objectives but sovereignist in its practical modalities”. Key Takeaways: The European Green Deal (EGD) will have a considerable impact on Southeast Asia, likely raising further concerns about national sovereignty and economic stability. Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia,… Continue reading Reassessing the European Green Deal in Southeast Asia: Europe should embrace local contexts
Once the driving force behind global growth, China’s economic engine is now sputtering, leaving policymakers in unfamiliar territory. With a multitude of problems unlikely to go away and a range of new challenges on the horizon, China’s economic slowdown will reshape domestic and international dynamics. Key takeaways: Facing many challenges, China’s economy has begun to… Continue reading Understanding the implications of China’s economic slowdown
